Gold ::June {DITTO} DIY Challenge :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Can you believe this….

 

 

was this?

 

Giant Clam Shell :: BEFORE - Ditto DIY Challenge :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Found clam turned glam

with gold!

 

Gilded Clam Shell :: {Ditto} DIY Challenge :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Darlene of Fieldstone Hill Design has had a weekly post where she challenges her readers to {DITTO} something in home decor or fashion.  Last month, she invited a select group of bloggers to her first bloggers’ {DITTO} challenge.  A few of my favorite bloggers like Edie and Melissa were in the group.  For June, Darlene opened the invitation to anyone who wanted to participate in each month’s design challenge.  You, too are invited to take the challenge and link up your post.

This month, we were challenged to Go for the GOLD in our homes, and this was our inspiration photograph:

JUNE gild-something-ditto-diy

{Art and design by Samantha Reitmayer Sano of Style/Swoon.}

 

THE {DITTO} DIY CHALLENGE:

Gild something, or paint it gold!
Then use it in a lovely display.

 

Vintage accessories : {DITTO} DIY challenge :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

I like challenges and I have known about this one for a whole month.  Today was the day to link up and join in the fun.   I was so excited, I was the first one to link up.  Well, no.  Instead about 3 o’clock I thought, I have got to decide what I am going to do.  Sure I talked about it a few days before, but other things came first.  D-day had come…and if I didn’t hurry it would be gone.  What would my project be?

 

Gilded seashell :: DIY Challenge :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Lights flashed.  Angels sang.  I had an idea.  A teeny weeny idea.

My yard is fenced in.  Recently I walked behind the fence in the right-a-way area between properties and trimmed some blossoming bushes.  I happened to notice that at the bottom corner of my neighbor’s wood pile…right next to my fence and far, far, from his house, was what appeared to be a large clam shell.  My neighbor was in his 90’s and went to sleep and never woke up late last fall.  The family had come and cleaned out the house so I knew no one would care if I picked it up.

This shell is quite heavy and it had really gotten rough from the elements.  But, with a stiff brush and a soft brush in hand, I managed to get the shell clean.  After several coats of spray paint from various left-over cans, I had my clam turned glam with gold!

 

Clam turned Glam with Gold Vignette :: {Ditto} DIY Challenge :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

The vignette I created was a simple one with 5 parts.  The very large clam turned glam with gold shell, a vintage pearlized pottery vase, a pair of vintage opera glasses  in mother-of-pearl, and two peony blossoms from the garden.

Simplicity.  Elegance.  Gold.

 

Gold and gold tones are the next or newest trend in metals in home decor.  Gold is good.  My husband loves it.  Me, I’m still into my silver tones.  Aside from some brass candlesticks, I think I have preferred silver and pewter.  And it seems I sold all the brass candlesticks at my last few garage sales.

What about you?

Do you have a metal that you enjoy in your decorating?

What is it?  Gold? Brass? Nickel? Pewter? Silver?  Copper? Or?

Do you follow the trends in color?

 

I’d love to hear your thoughts and what you think about this simple golden vignette.  Your comments make my day!  Also, if you enjoyed the post, please be sure to use the sharing buttons on the side or at the end of the post.  Thank you!!

Wishing you An Extraordinary Day!

Diane

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Comments

  1. LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!! clam to glam has me giggling too!

    • Diane says

      Awww…Darlene…that just puts a big cheesy grin on my face.
      Thanks for the opportunity to get creative.

  2. This is wonderful! I love how you transformed it into a thing of beauty! Your vignette is very nice as well! Great job!!~~Angela

  3. Glenda Kremer says

    you did it again girlfriend! your gold creation far more beautiful than any of the other pics shown in my opinion–plus it has a neat story and memory of an old person makes it even better I think! you should see all the shells in my house–most rooms have a bowl or some container of shells in them! the beach my most favorite place in the world! as far as decorating–sorry to disappoint you but I like all my old stuff and rarely change anything but I’m happy!
    have a blessed day and thanks for sharing this beauty!
    Glenda Krememr

    • Diane says

      Awwwww….you are so sweet, Glenda! Thank you for your lovely and encouraging words. 🙂 The thing about decorating…it’s about pleasing you…not someone else. You live with it. If your collections make your heart sing…then they are perfect for you. And the beach…oh yes…it’s one of my most favorite places too. I close my eyes and imagine the sun and the wind and the waves. What a refreshing thought. My shell collection isn’t much…but what a fun thing to do.
      May your day be filled with His JOY!

  4. bj says

    This is PERFECT for your challenge…and, besides all that, it is LOVELY. I just love it….
    Over from Eliz and Co

    • Diane says

      What a nice thing to say BJ….Thank you!!!!
      Wishing you An Extraordinary Day!

  5. This is awesome. Found you through the linky party. Where did you find the clam shell? I’ve been looking for one like that for ever!

    • Diane says

      Thank you so much Vidya! It was at the bottom of my neighbor’s wood pile. Lucky me!!

  6. Suzi says

    Oh wow! It is A M A Z I N G! I took the challenge too but am only a reader, not a blogger. Having a deadline made me actually do it even though I can’t link up. I love love this idea. I have silver leafed shells in the past but never thought of gold. Thanks for the inspiration! Now I must get over there and see all the ideas ya’ll linked up.

    • Diane says

      Thank you sooo much Suzi! You are too kind. 🙂
      I would LOVE to see what you did! And…I am pretty sure that if you took a photo and posted it to your Facebook album, you could take the link and then link up to Darlene’s link party. Melissa invited readers to do that at The Inspired Room at Christmas time….and before I started blogging I did just that. I think you should give it a try. Let me know if you give it a try.

  7. Lani says

    Diane,
    I love the way you can take something old, beaten up and obscure and make it new, shiny and give it purpose. Everything you do, even the little things, is a wonderful reflection of God’s love for us.
    Thank you for sharing!
    Hugs & Blessings …
    Lani

    • Diane says

      You are the sweetest most encouraging friend, Lani!! Thank you for our kind words.
      I love how you saw the spiritual application in how God cleans us up and makes us daughters and sons of the King of Kings!!
      You are a blessing.
      Hope your week is extraordinary!

  8. What a beautiful decor item that shell turned out to be! It looks like it was bought in some fancy home store!
    Selene @ Restoration Beauty

    • Diane says

      Haha! It does Selene! 🙂 Maybe I should have kept it a secret?
      Thanks for stopping by with your kind words!
      Hope your week is extraordinary!

  9. Gwen says

    I cannot keep up!! I had red and gold all over so I kind of was a purist. I got tired of only gold so pewter and silver look clean and new to me. I’m not ready to go back to so much gold again!!!! I’m my own person now and I doubt I’d make a single photo as I don’t always change something because Vern Yip says it is passé!!

    • Diane says

      I hear you Gwen! We have to be true to what we are comfortable with. Shhh! Don’t tell…but as much fun as I had creating the vignette and transforming the shell. I think the shell is going to get painted something creamy down the line. The gold actually feels garish to me…it’s pretty…but like I said in the post…I’ve fallen on the silver and pewter side and I’m pretty happy with that right now. I’m never saying never….it’s just more calming to me today. The DIY Challenge was good for me, too. Maybe you’re like me, but my ‘collected’ look suits me just fine. 😉
      Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Gwen.
      Hope your day is blessed in every way.
      p.s. We prayed for your husband today…for his appointment and God’s healing most of all.

  10. Mel says

    Boy–after the questions, I looked around the study and every ounce of metal is black–‘cept for the antique ticket punch which remains it’s original rusty self. LOL I’ll have to inspect other rooms. But I’d say I’m more of a rusty iron kinda gal. *laughing* But!! Himself drags back silver pieces from England every time he goes–1906 was the last piece. They’re lovely antiques here…..not so sure they qualify as ‘antiques’ there.
    I’m not a collector of gold–but this shell you gave a new life to and the story of how it came to be yours is what makes the piece. It’s a keeper, indeed. And I’ve used some of our bigger clam shells with a bit of water to float flowers. You’d think that was creative. LOL I’d tell ya it was entirely by accident.

    • Diane says

      A ‘rusty iron kinda gal’ makes me laugh. Oh my…you know there’s a blogger who specializes in that exact kind of thing. Have you heard of “Funky Junk Interiors”? My…she is creative…and rusty junk I think makes her heart sing. 🙂
      I’d forgotten about black metal….I have a bit of that too and really do like it. But ‘old’ silver….I think that is fabulous…probably would be my choice. There is something about it that is calming and less pretentious and tarnish keeps it from being perfect…which is perfect in my book. Now…I can’t say I always thought of it that way. Because everything had to look perfect. I can’t tell you how many lovely things I discarded because they weren’t perfect. [hanging head] Now…I look at things differently…finally. That perfection thing…not-so-good.
      I love that you floated flowers in your clam shells. My question is…since you don’t near a body of water that would produce such shells…how did you come about acquiring them.
      p.s. don’t be surprised if I transform the shell again. 😉

  11. Hi there i seen you on Ivy & Elephants party today and wanted to say Hi
    I like the shell painted I use mostly silver around my house and I painted in inside of a large shell silver and have it setting on an entry table

    Janice

    • Diane says

      I do like the idea of painting the shell silver too!!! Janice, I bet yours looks truly lovely!
      Thanks for stopping by and sharing your kind words.
      Blessings!

  12. Oh my! I love it, who would of thought, I’m bustin out my spray paint right now! 🙂 Michelle

  13. Jenna says

    This. Is. Stunning!!! I am so into gold right now! I love, love, love this idea! Pinned! Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof

    • Diane says

      Thanks Jenna! Who knew a spray can could make such a difference! 🙂

  14. This clam is really glam now. You did a beautiful job by spraying gold on it. Love it!

    Ellya

    • Diane says

      Haha! I guess all my efforts for creating crazy stuff and spray painting for VBS really has paid off! 🙂
      Thanks Ellya!! 🙂

  15. Wow, this is beautiful. So pretty! I am so glad I stopped by. I am hosting a giveaway via Arcadian Home on my blog. It would be great if you could stop by. Have a lovely day!

  16. Looks so beautiful with the peonies. Nature (emphasized with gold, in your case) can be so perfectly beautiful.

    • Diane says

      I am thrilled to have peonies in my yard…oh the fun I’ve had with them. The combination of the two was so serendipitous….made my heart sing.
      Thanks for your always kind and encouraging words Lynaea!
      Blessings!

  17. Wow! What a striking ornament! It looks fabulous!
    jennelise

    • Diane says

      Thank you Jennelise!!! I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. Who knew?!!!
      Hope your weekend is Extraordinary!

  18. Beth says

    That’s really pretty, Diane. Enjoyed your post on cleaning out the pantry too. I do that periodically and there’s not too much in there now. And as for that can of cranberry sauce, why not donate it to a food drive? Or save it and use it at Thanksgiving.

    • Diane says

      Thank you Beth!
      Haha! I guess I was trying to think outside the usual box for something typically out of season. My friend suggested using it as an ingredient in a glaze for party meatballs.
      Blessings!

  19. Love this. I have never been into gold. I am more of a silver girl, but with all the gold accents in decor lately. I am really liking it especially your gold clam. Very cool. I am hosting a link party and would love it if you would link this up.

    http://www.ifitsnotbaroquedesignblog.blogspot.com/2013/06/tuesday-link-party-22.html

    • Diane says

      I know what you mean, Lauren. There have been lots of inspiring gilded projects out there that have captured my eye too. What a great way to add a little elegance to a room.
      Thanks for stopping by Lauren with your thoughtful remarks.
      Blessings!

  20. I think you did a great job with the gold challenge! Love the clam shell gone glam! Cute vignette. Diann and I htink you for linking to TTF this week.

    Linda

    • Diane says

      You are so kind to say that Linda! 🙂 Thank you!

  21. Doni says

    Oh wow…that’s the coolest thing!! I would never have thought to paint a clamshell gold!! LOVE IT!! You did a marvelous job on your Ditto project!! THank you so much for sharing it for my party too!! I have to admit, when it comes to metals, I’m not a fan. That is not if it’s a metal to decorate with. I hate the painted frames that are made to look like brass, I hate the rims of pieces that are painted with a sliver of silver, and yet I love my dishes that are gilded, so I guess ultimately I love the GOLD!!
    Blessings to you!
    Doni

    • Diane says

      Awww…thank you Doni!!!
      Since the streets of heaven are to be paved with gold…well…I guess it’s good you like? Yes?

  22. Happy Pink Saturday 🙂 Beautiful pinks!
    Greetings from Australia♥ ~Pernilla

  23. I used to love gold, then changed to silver. I knew gold would come back eventually. I love what you did with the clam shell. I think it would be pretty in silver too 😉 Thank you for sharing this and your yummy muffins at What We Accomplished Wednesdays. Have a great weekend!

    Hugs,
    Deborah

    • Diane says

      Awwww…thanks Deborah!
      Glad to see good things happening in your life. 😉
      Blessings!!

  24. Jenni says

    love your gold clam, i bought a tin of high gloss gold last week, and my project is still far from done, but it is amazing how different something looks with a bit of shimmer. Enjoy your week!!

    • Diane says

      Hope you’re having fun with the challenge. I was amazed how great mine turned out. You never know…just hope. 😉
      Hope your weekend is extraordinary!

  25. This is awesome!! When I saw glam and gold, I was sold! So cool!

  26. Jen says

    Wow! It turned out great! Me, I like brushed silver or bronze depending on the other colors around. Love what you did with this shell!

    • Diane says

      Thank you Jen! I’m not sure that I’m keeping it gold….it’s a little too glam for my home…I think…but who knows! Haha!! This might be the beginning of something a little outside my usual. Blessings!

  27. How gorgeous Diane!!! LOVE IT!! I need to had some gold to my decor!

    Thanks for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer… From Dream To Reality last week! Can’t wait to see what you share tomorrow evening!

    • Diane says

      I’m so pleased that you like it Christine!! Thank you!!! 🙂

  28. Carolyn says

    Diane, I really like the “gilded lily” aka “Glam Clam Shell”.! It’s beautiful! Thanks for the inspiration. When I redid the main bathroom a few years ago, I decided to keep the molded countertop which is white w/veins of “gold” in it. We put in a brass faucet, switched an oval gold framed mirror w/the one over the lavatory & I found gold leafed tumbler, soap dish & toothbrush holders at a retail shop. (I usually shop only the discount stores but this project was an exception.)
    In my kitchen I went w/the brushed nickel look but kept my almond frig, dishwasher & range because I still like them. I also really like copper a lot & have some pieces on my hearth, as well as some black iron accessories. I too really enjoy silver & have lots of it in dining & living rooms. Guess I’m friends w/all the metals! (o: Many prayers for provision, peace & His Presence.

    • Diane says

      I love how you’re ‘friends with all metals,’ Carolyn! 🙂
      Your bath sounds lovely. And I, too, like the almond appliances best as well. It’s such a nice warm tone.
      Thanks for your prayers. God made an amazing provision today. I do hope the job is next.
      [hugs]

  29. Gorgeous! Thank you for linking it up at http://www.finecraftguild.com/gratitude-party-70/

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